Preview: Dallas vs. Real Salt Lake - prediction, team news, lineups

Dallas will look to extend their regular-season unbeaten run at Toyota Stadium to 12 straight games when they host Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

Claret and Cobalt won their only game away from home this season in their opening fixture, while the Toros conceded late in injury time, losing 1-0 to Minnesota United.

Match preview

In the early stages of their 2021 campaign, Luchi Gonzalez has seen his side have a mix of good and bad performances in the regular season.

Last week we saw the Toros struggle to generate much offensively, firing only two shots on target and letting a point slip through their grasp at the very end.

Scoring goals has been a problem for this team early on this season, as they have been shut out twice already and have not been able to find another gear in order to pull out victories in some of these tight matches.

They have been able to keep their matches close when they play a 3-4-2-1 system which seems to work well when it comes to limiting time and space to their opponents, but lining up in that formation has failed to produce any goals for this team.

Jader Obrian and Franco Jara have looked the most menacing upfront for the Toros, putting opposing defences on their heels, but they have rarely been able to get in sync through the first five matches.

After a late collapse against the San Jose Earthquakes two weeks ago, Freddy Juarez was left disappointed by how his team performed in their 0-0 draw last weekend versus Nashville SC.

His side failed to register a single shot on target, with the dynamic Rubio Rubin being held in check throughout the 90 minutes and looking relatively quiet for the first time all season.

However, there were some bright spots to take away from that game, including goalkeeper David Ochoa, who earned his first career MLS clean sheet by making four saves last Saturday.

Erik Holt was a rock in defence for his team, making several vital blocks and interceptions to make life a lot easier for his 20-year-old keeper.

Juarez will want to see more creativity from his side, filled with plenty of strong, individually-gifted players who have produced some spectacular goals this season.

Dallas Major League Soccer form:

Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer form:

Team News

Dallas centre-forward Jesus Ferreira has a shoulder injury, midfielder Thomas Roberts is still recovering from a leg injury, and goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck will miss out with a hamstring issue.

The experience of Jose Martinez has been a significant asset for the Toros in central defence as he has 14 clearances and 12 interceptions through his first five games.

Salt Lake skipper Albert Rusnak has struggled in the early stages of this new campaign, failing to score any goals or notch a single assist on a team with many attacking threats.

He needs just one more goal to move into a tie for sixth all-time in club history with Yura Movsisyan and his current teammate, Damir Kreilach, who himself can move into a tie with Robbie Findley for ninth in all-time assists for the club.

Dallas possible starting lineup:

Megiolaro; Martinez, Bressan, Hedges; Hollingshead, Tessmann, Acosta, Munjoma; Ricaurte, Obrian; Jara

Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:

Ochoa; Brody, Holt, Glad, Toia; Ruiz, Kreilach; Chang, Rusnak, Meram; Rubin

We say: Dallas 0-0 Real Salt Lake

Even a team with so much individual talent such as Real Salt Lake might find it difficult to break down a Dallas midfield that can smother the offence while also limiting your time and space.

As good as Rubio Rubin has been in front of the goal, Salt Lake are still struggling to find an established number 10 with the vision or creativity to break down an opposing midfield.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.